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Welcome to Am I Infected

IMPORTANT UPDATE
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012

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I had a test on Feb 15 (45 days after possible exposure) and then, on Feb 18 I had several symptoms which got worse until Feb 20 but by Feb 24 were completely gone. On Feb 23 my test result was NEG. - My question: if you re tested before symptoms develop will anti bodies show up in test and is 45 days too early to get an accurate test. (A lot of literature says 3 months is the rule.) Also, can you have most of the early symptoms and have HIV but not have the antibodies show in a test while still experiencing the symptoms.

Finally, if you are +, is just 6 days of symptoms indicative? And, will THRUSH does go away on it's own like the other symptoms go away?

The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being only 22 days. Symptoms or even the lack of symptoms mean nothing when it comes to hiv infection, ONLY testing will reliably reveal your hiv status. Only a test at three months after a real risk will be conclusive.

May I ask what you believe caused you to be at risk? Unless it was unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse, or sharing drug injecting equipment, chances are you are worrying over nothing.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thank you Ann for your quick responesOn Dec 31-Jan 1 I had unprotected anal sex- neither of us ejaculated during intercourse/ we did oral first/ then some anal as foreplay - then we masturbated to ejaculation. So symptoms can manifest themselves and your test can be NEG?

Unless you mean you had penetrative anal sex, where you were inserting penises, you weren't at risk in your anal play. You were also not at risk during the masturbation or getting a blowjob. It is exceedingly rare to become infected through giving a blowjob.

It is unlikely that your negative test will change at the conclusive three month mark.

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

thank you ann again, i was tested on a thurs (2/15) / and by Sunday i felt awlful - showing several text book symptoms/ by tuesday I was having trouble breathing/ on thurs (2/22) i saw a purpleish mole on/under my skin (i ve found only one) but on Friday (2/23) i called the PUB health dept who informed me my test was NEG - by yesterday I felt GREAT - all symptoms gone except the scab from the purplish (smaller than a quarter) sore.thanks for your consideration

Thrush needs to be diagnosed by a doctor and treated. It can be quite persistent and it's not something to ignore so if you think you have it you should see your doctor.

"How common is it ..." How come you are into guesswork instead of answering a question when asked. Did you have unprotected intercourse or not? Simple question. How about an answer? We can respond much more specifically when you give details as accurately as you can.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

For future reference, whether you are the insertive partner or the receiver, both are high risk for transmission when unprotected. You can have all the anal sex you like in either position. Just do it the safer way and whoever is pitching should always be wearing a latex condom. No exceptions.

Good luck with your 13 week test. With your negative earlier result my expectation is that you will continue to test negative.

i am in your situation - fear - and i agree, some of the answers are re assuring - and I thank ann and andy for their attention and point of view - i am impressed that they know what they are taling about

i was tested at 45 days (six weeks + 3 days) and it came back NEG on day 53 - but from day 48 until day 54 I felt very bad - today on day 55 I feel VERY good, except i took my temp and it is slightly elevated - i have 5 weeks until the 13 week is here - i ll probably get a test at week 11 - when i received my NEG - the counciler on the phone guarenteed me that I was NEG - he was very confident in the test (he worked for the Pittburgh Pub Health dept) and reassured me that my bad feelings were something else (flu) and my sense of guilt and feargood luck

You need to know that neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about your HIV status. And there is absolutely nothing about what you are calling symptoms which is HIV specific in any way.

Only an HIV test can give you the answer you want and as I said previously, I expect you to continue to test negative.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Have you actually been diagnosed with thrush by a doctor? Because if you haven't, chances are very good you DON'T HAVE thrush. Oral thrush is pretty painful, so if you're just seeing white stuff, without pain, it probably isn't thrush. Even if you DO have thrush, it doesn't mean you have hiv. Symptoms are meaningless when it comes to hiv infection. See your doctor about any suspected thrush.

The only do-it-yourself testing kit that is reliable and FDA approved is Home Access. You have to send your sample in to a lab and then telephone for your results.

As we keep telling you, your eight week negative result is VERY unlikely to change.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

thank you ann for your quick responsei went for a routine physical a week before my 6 week + 2 test but didn t inform the DR that i had a risky event. the blood work he asked for was diabetic and chlestrol/ triglycerides only - NOTHING sexual in tests or our discussion. he did look in my mouth (without a light) and said i was healthy (A1C test was very good and greatly improved.) at the time of the physical I felt OK - it wasn t till 10 days later that I felt so awlful

While the vast majority will have seroconverted by 11 weeks I would suggest you simply wait out the additional 2 weeks so you dont have ANY doubts to the validity of your test.

Your 6 week negative is a GREAT indicator and I dont expect that to change.

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

will the symptoms of Pneumocystis Pneumonia go away on their own?> i had all the symptoms 2 weeks ago and now I don t - but I ve not been treated with anything

actually i m feeling pretty good

thanks for your attention and responses in advance

Did you actually get diagnosed or even confirmed to have pneumonia in the first place? Don't diagnose yourself. And to answer your question, no, you don't just magically get cured of PCP without treatment.

NO i was not diagnosed, I m just insecure - 2 weeks ago I had most (all) of the symptoms - weeks before an MD told me I had a viral walking pnem which he had seen a lot of and told me not to worry, I didn t inform him of my risky behavior) soon after my DR s visit and clean bill of health, I had awlful symptoms

but in 6 days, they were almost gone, i feel very good, but very seldom i get a dry cough and a slight discomfort which feels more muscular than lung - more like a pulled a pec muscle while lifting weights than a breathing problem - but the slight twing has been hanging around for several days

i had a similiar event on JAN 1/ tested NEG at week 6/ but had some symptoms from 2/18 till 2 /24 - i still have a few Feelings that make me wonder/ will get a test on WED (3/14) - I understand your feelings of dreadGood luck

I removed yet another post you made in someone else's thread. I though I'd already made myself clear that you are not in any position to be giving advice or whatever to others here. Please stop doing this - if you don't, I'll give you a time out.

If you have further comments or questions, post here in your own thread only. Thank you for your cooperation.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Today I had an 11 week test (oral swab for 2 mins on my gums) I must wait a week for results/ @ six weeks I had the same test and it was NEG - the man who administered this test promised and guarenteed I was negative regardless of my symptoms/ by next week I ll know if he knows what he s talking about.

Last week i had an ORASURE test/ today i got a + from the health dept/ i was offered an immediate ORA QUICK which after the required 20 mins in the health dept s office came up ONE LINE - NEG! (Not 2 lines which would be +) the health care person then took blood and told me the definate result will be known Monday -her expert opinion is that I am neg/ that the 20 min ora quick is more reliable

So which is right? an ora sure false + or an ora quick false neg??? can anyone enlighten me?

I refrained from answering this question because there are others who will know more about it.

If im NOT mistaken Orasure tests can sometimes come up with a false positive result but never a false negative result. Im not 100% sure and this is why I didnt post on this one, I have a life outside this board and did not have the time to do the research associated to make sure you got the right answer when I know Andy, Ann or Rod will be here shortly to give you the low down.

So there, feel better? No more PM's OK?

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

what are the chances of giving a woman HIV from regular intercourse - one event/ 19 days after I would have been infected , i had no reason to think i was + at the time(if I am infected), regular sex - unprotected

Why are you having unprotected intercourse with anyone? You need to be using condoms until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have BOTH tested negative together. You clearly aren't in a securely monogamous relationship and I doubt whether you have tested together with this woman. For all you know, SHE could have been positive before you even met her.

You need to test three months after your LAST UNPROTECTED INTERCOURSE, no matter who it was with or whether it was anal or vaginal.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Does any one know? what is the difference between a night sweat and a menopalal hot flash? can you have a night sweat when you are awake? or only do they take place when sleeping?

Im pretty sure that ORA company markets 2 different products.

I was tested on Feb 15 with the ORA SURE test/ in my mouth, between my gums and cheek for 3 mins - this was done by an outreach program by the health dept - this went to the lab and my result was NEG when I called on Feb 23rd - this was @ 6 weeks post event

I went to another health dept outreach test and had another - 3 min in mouth/ ora sure test which went to the lab - one week later iwas told the FIRST test was + and the results of the second test were not available. I was invited to come to the health dept and have an IMMEDIATE test done that day. (Last Thursday)

I then had the ORA QUICK test performed - rub the applicator around my gums and put into a vile for 20 mins - 20 mins later it showed NEG - the Health Dept nurse DID take a blood sample which should be known Monday/

on Friday i called the ora sure company who told me the lab test is 99% while the quick is 99.8% accurate.

im thinking, do I just go with the 12 week neg and try to forget the 11 week + and avoid the results of the blood test? (no news is good news?) thinking a 6 and 12 week neg are more valid than an 11 week +do I buy another quick test and see what I am on during the 13th week?

By first test I don t mean the FEB - 6 week test, rather I mean that the lab did 2 tests on the 11 week sample/ the lab reported the first test + and a western blot test was still pending from the sample of march 22 - that s when I had the ORA Quick test which was immediately NEG

I went to another health dept outreach test and had another - 3 min in mouth/ ora sure test which went to the lab - one week later iwas told the FIRST test was + and the results of the second test were not available. I was invited to come to the health dept and have an IMMEDIATE test done that day. (Last Thursday)